DePauw presents ‘The Rocky Horror Show’

As the opening production of the 2022-23 season, the DePauw University Theatre Department will present “The Rocky Horror Show” Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at the Moore Theatre inside the Green Center for the Performing Arts.

With music, book and lyrics by Richard O’Brien, “The Rocky Horror Show” was first staged in London in 1973. The DePauw production will be directed by Steve Timm.

In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad and Janet (played by Cole Stephen and Kelli O’Neil), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Skylar Niles).

As their innocence is lost, Brad and Janet meet a houseful of wild characters, including a rocking biker and a creepy butler. Through elaborate dances and rock songs, Frank-N-Furter unveils his latest creation — a muscular man named “Rocky” (Ben Freeman).

Audience participation is encouraged. All patrons are welcome to wear their finest Rocky Horror attire, purchase an audience participation kit and indulge in a few pre-show games. The audience participation kit will have you throwing toilet paper at Rocky, aiming squirt guns at Brad and Janet and making noise with the Transylvanians. Kits are $2 apiece, cash only.

Saturday night features a late showing perfect for all creatures of the night, promising “a fun and rowdy experience.”

The show will be presented four times — at 7:30 p.m. on both Thursday, Sept. 29 and Friday, Sept. 30; 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1 and a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Oct. 2.

The production is free for students and $10 general admission. The box office opens 90 minutes before the show, or get tickets online at dpugreencenter.eventbrite.com.

This production features themes that might not be suitable for all audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

The cast also features Madalyn Sailors as Usherette, Ashley Carrasquillo as the narrator, Eli Grey-Nations as Riff-Raff, Liz Davis as Magenta, Macie Barker as Columbia, Eli Widmer as Eddie and Dave Worthington as Dr. Scott.

The ensemble includes Susan Anthony, Landen Branford, Amélie Doneff, Barbara Fields Timm, Lydia Foreman, Deborah Grammel, Carly Hajdukcy, Madeline Humphreys, Rebecca Jackson, Kevin Kinney, Imani Luellen, Harriet Moore, Colleen McCracken Renick, Emma Merkamp, Chi Pham, Jenna Reynolds, Sarah Ryan, Madalyn Sailors, Misti Scott, Tamara L. Stasik, Katie Steele, Karen Sutherlin, Lilly VanHouten, Sarah Weeks, Heather Wright, Eihi Yoshinaga and Axel Zartman.

Timm’s production team also includes costume designer Anne Washington, lighting designer Jaye Beetem, music director Rick Provine, production stage manager Kate Grimm, vocal coach Kathryn Dory, choreographer Emma Merkamp, assistant director Rhea J. and assistant stage manager Dominick Willis

In addition to serving as music director, Provine will be on drums, joined by several other names familiar to local music fans — Veronica Pejril on keyboard, Steve Michael on guitar and Bill Hamm on bass. Add to this ensemble current DePauw School of Music students Levi Stewart on saxophone and Teresa Shunk on piano.

To learn more, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-rocky-horror-show-tickets-406366712777

The Green Center for the Performing Arts is located at 600 S. Locust St., Greencastle.

DePauw Theatre’s next production is Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Scotland Road,” a suspenseful psychodrama centered around the aftermath of the Titanic. Running Nov. 10-13.